Chapter 305

Chapter 305. Holding On Always Pays Off (3)

Anyway, led by the top three rankers—Laura, Indypatible, and Menaldu—the network of top solo rankers within the top 100, 1,000, and 10,000 ranks was activated, resulting in a thorough propaganda campaign.

—

**Title:** Breaking News) Large-Scale User Movement Detected in the Central Zone.txt

**Author:** News Boy

**Content:** [GIF of tens of thousands of ships moving in a line somewhere]

Just got this fresh info.

The ongoing battle in the Central Zone between Icarus and 50 clans ganging up on him turned out to be a secret alliance of clans trying to expand their influence by taking over bases, with Icarus resisting them.

Pissed off, users in the Central Zone are now rallying together and moving en masse after figuring out the situation.

Details are still unclear, but what’s certain is that this alliance is called the Walpurgis Union, and they’ve been manipulating the Central Zone’s rules, which is why users are rising up.

More details will follow as updates come in.

—

**Comments:**

– [Wait, what?]

– [But isn’t Icarus, as a top ranker, part of the establishment? Isn’t this just the alliance trying to take over the base he claimed?]

– [Nah, from what I heard, they’re dead set on taking over the Central Zone.]

– [With just over 500 members?]

– [Interesting story.]

– [<Link to the leaked post from the gallery> Here’s the original info.]

– [Wow, this is legit.]

– [LMAOOOOO]

– [They’ve got guts to gather clans with over 10 members in a place that gets mad at that.]

– [Looks like there are about 4-5 thousand people?]

– [Holy sh*t;;;]

—

Thousands of users were hastily leading parts of their fleets on a journey to Avalon Fortress.

Well, technically, it’s thousands—at least 4-5 thousand.

But realistically, the number of users who actually brought their fleets was barely scraping 1,000.

—

**<Secret Chat Room>**

– [News Boy, you did great ^^]

– [Looking forward to working with you again.]

**<An anonymous user sent News Boy 50,000 gold!>**

– [Oh, you shouldn’t have!] (News Boy)

—

With the essential media play added to the mix, even the silent majority of users started thinking, “Oh, is this party time?” and quietly joined in. Before they knew it, 4-5 thousand users had gathered.

And to shut down users in the gallery doubting the info, they declared, “This is the TRUTH, you idiots!”

The solo rankers’ fun and cheerful agitation and the Walpurgis Union’s downfall were turning out to be a huge success.

Of course, the users joining this “party time” weren’t exactly risking their lives.

At most, they sent one battleship with a few cruisers or patrol ships as escorts.

Some even sent just one patrol ship, calling it “minimum effort” or “just for the show.”

But on average, users sent around 10 ships each.

And as more users joined, not wanting to miss out on the fun, the numbers kept growing.

By the time the Central Zone alliance (?) surrounded the Walpurgis Union at Avalon Fortress…

—

**<The Classy Solo Players’ Room for Destroying Alliance Clans ⚥>**

– [Why’s there a gender-neutral symbol there?]

– [No idea.]

– [Damn, there are so many of us.]

– [They said 4-5 thousand, but it feels like way more.]

– [Some people joined mid-party for the fun, so it probably grew.]

– [Don’t worry about the numbers. I stopped counting after it passed 6,000.]

– [Nice.]

– [Those guys definitely crossed the line, huh?]

—

With an average of 10 ships per user and over 6,000 users, the fleet size ballooned to 60,000 ships.

In an instant, they far surpassed the Walpurgis Union, who were desperately trying to conquer Avalon Fortress.

And as a result, the “double encirclement” Icarus had attempted but failed due to lack of numbers was now happening on an overwhelming scale.

Naturally, the Walpurgis Union’s internal atmosphere descended into chaos.

And the alliance clan leaders, who needed to stabilize the chaos and set clear goals, were also in disarray.

Rough times are just the same for everyone.

—————————————–

<Mint Choco Meeting Room>

-[What the hell is that?]

-[No, ugh, maaaahhh]

-[Are we really screwed?]

-[We gotta escape, peace out]

-[How the hell are we supposed to escape?]

-[We’re surrounded on all sides, let’s just attack Avalon Fortress and take it, then hold out]

-[Icarus isn’t dead yet, damn it]

—————————————–

Some are panicking, screaming that we need to get out of here immediately.

Since escape is pretty much impossible anyway, others are arguing that we should charge straight at Icarus’s Avalon Fortress, take it, and quickly fortify.

There are even those who suggest just giving up and surrendering to preserve the fleet.

It’s a complete mess, and the alliance is basically just shooting at each other.

They were on the verge of internal conflict.

Of course, if everyone just does their own thing here, it’ll end up being neither here nor there.

Some clan leaders, who managed to keep their cool, tried to soothe the rest and push forward with an aggressive attack on Avalon Fortress before the encirclement tightened.

But pushing forward like that just meant repeating what they’d been doing all along.

Trying to forcefully insert assault pods and take the fortress while leaving its defense facilities intact also failed.

A few superhumans managed to land and infiltrate the fortress, but…

“Superhumans, welcome.”

“Ah.”

“Finally, it’s our time to shine. Let’s finish this quickly and go help the Commander.”

“Indeed, you’re right, Smeragi.”

The close-combat superhumans of Icarus, who were nowhere to be seen during the defense, welcomed them, resulting in a total failure.

Moreover, their reckless assault rapidly depleted the fleet’s strength.

Perhaps Icarus gained courage (?) from the sight of the Central Zone users coming to save them (?).

Or maybe it was because of the ‘Overseer’s sinking’ that happened at just the wrong time.

—————————————–

<Mint Choco Meeting Room>

-[Damn it, Kraken!]

-[Kraken’s charging! Stop it!]

-[No, damn it, dozens of escort ships are clinging to it, can’t flank]

-[Two of them are Eva]

—————————————–

Including the two Krakens holed up at the spaceport gate, acting as turrets.

Using all the remaining ships except for Hreðsvelgr and the carriers, they charged wildly…

A moment later.

—————————————–

<Mint Choco Meeting Room>

-[Why are the Deer Clan guys asking me for orders?]

-[Their clan leader’s fleet got completely eaten by the Kraken, so they can’t give orders anymore]

-[Wow, the battleship is getting devoured by a mini Kraken]

-[LOLOLOLOLOL this game is screwed]

-[Give up]

-[We’re getting hit from the rear now]

-[Rear support, damn it, no, tens of thousands more are coming]

-[Can’t hold]

-[This is hopeless, I’m out, peace]

-[Let’s go together]

-[Hey, you bastards, are you just trying to save yourselves?]

—————————————–

As the Central Zone users tightened their encirclement, their attacks started hitting our rear.

—————————————–

<Mint Choco Meeting Room>

-[Ah, damn it, Menaldu’s over there]

-[Rank 10?]

-[Rank 8, actually]

-[Anyway, damn it, another solo ranker? This is hopeless, seriously]

-[Everyone, just run, this is over]

-[Sigh]

—————————————–

When Menaldu and his friends’ fleet showed up.

The last thread of reason snapped, and the Walpurgis Alliance finally gave up their stubborn plan.

Since the system makes them fight each other if they get too close, they had to escape through the gaps in the Central Zone users’ loose encirclement.

Of course, even if they managed to escape.

Everyone already knew what they had tried to do and what the consequences would be.

Even if they succeeded in escaping this battle, they would be endlessly pursued from now on… it was painfully obvious.